my name is sarah beth joslin, and this is my story.
the beginning
My story goes back many years, until I was in around second or third grade. During this time in my life, I became mesmerized by my teacher. The way she was able to teach material to a class, and do it in such a fun way immediately caught my attention. So, I made the cliché childhood statement: I want to be a _______ when I grow up; in my case this was a teacher. However, this statement has grown to be so much more than a few words; it has grown to become an ambition of mine. I grew up thriving in school, and loving my teachers. Not once did I ever waver on my desire to become a teacher. However, I was really never sure of the age group or curriculum I wanted to teach others. So, as I entered middle school, I focused my efforts on tutoring anyone who needed help, in whatever subject they needed help in. (Yes, even math! As much as I dislike math, my love for teaching others overcame that dislike for math.)
Now, the pivotal point in my story.
Now, the pivotal point in my story.
the shift
Once I entered middle school, I loved the aspect of tutoring others my age, but middle schoolers can be really difficult to handle sometimes. Middle school truly brings forth daily challenges, with changing perceptions of ourselves and intense social pressures to fit in, and do whatever it takes to fit in. Personally, I have never felt like I have been or needed to be in the popular crowd, as I simply never felt right having those friends. So, I focused on working hard in school. Because of my many negative experiences with friends and other people in middle school, I made it a personal declaration that I would never teach middle schoolers because, in my words back then, "that is when they turn down the wrong path." I went on with this mindset for a couple of years, into my freshman year in high school, when I heard the simple phrase that completely shifted my perspective on teaching and middle school: "Middle school is a time when kids need the light most." When these words were spoken to me, I realized how vital it is to have a positive impact on middle schoolers, in their vulnerable and extremely emotional state. So, from that point on I realized I was purposed to teach middle schoolers, and I decided to experience middle school education as a teacher through a mentorship.
Which brings us to the current point in my story.
Which brings us to the current point in my story.
My mentorship
I decided to pursue a mentorship at a middle school, and it has been a wonderful decision.
I entered my mentorship at C.W. Davis Middle School, under a seventh grade teacher, Ms. Linda Arsenault. Ms. Arsenault was actually my seventh grade life science teacher, so I have a unique perspective to have seen her as both a teacher and a mentor. I work there for around two hours, four days a week. My experience at C.W. Davis has really opened my eyes to the reality that middle school is today. When I was in middle school, social pressures were obviously present, but really not to the extent that they are today. I think this is due to the rapidly evolving technology and social media, which really weren't present in my middle school years. I truly have enjoyed my time working with two different classes of seventh graders, although it has been mentally exhausting at times. The lack of respect is very apparent sometimes, and the lack of discipline and motivation has really shown through. However, I feel as though this has made me want to be a teacher that much more, and really try and instill values into the upcoming high schoolers while providing a quality education for them. As I've noticed the lack of morale and good behavior, I have been motivated to understand the true impact that teachers can have on students. I feel as though I am able to make a difference, even if it is as simple as encouragement, and even though I am only 18 years old.
I entered my mentorship at C.W. Davis Middle School, under a seventh grade teacher, Ms. Linda Arsenault. Ms. Arsenault was actually my seventh grade life science teacher, so I have a unique perspective to have seen her as both a teacher and a mentor. I work there for around two hours, four days a week. My experience at C.W. Davis has really opened my eyes to the reality that middle school is today. When I was in middle school, social pressures were obviously present, but really not to the extent that they are today. I think this is due to the rapidly evolving technology and social media, which really weren't present in my middle school years. I truly have enjoyed my time working with two different classes of seventh graders, although it has been mentally exhausting at times. The lack of respect is very apparent sometimes, and the lack of discipline and motivation has really shown through. However, I feel as though this has made me want to be a teacher that much more, and really try and instill values into the upcoming high schoolers while providing a quality education for them. As I've noticed the lack of morale and good behavior, I have been motivated to understand the true impact that teachers can have on students. I feel as though I am able to make a difference, even if it is as simple as encouragement, and even though I am only 18 years old.
On a different note, my tasks in the classroom were enjoyable. Although slow at times (of course, teachers have to spend time actually teaching,) I feel as though I was able to complete tasks that were relevant to my needed experience, and also benefitted Ms. Arsenault by lifting some of her burdens off of her shoulders. I did a lot, (I mean, a LOT) of grading this year! But don't think that I didn't enjoy it, because I did. Although it did take awhile to grade 120 genetics projects, it really allowed me to see the students' creativity and thought processes throughout. I also worked with students one-on-one a lot. I was at C.W. Davis for two of their class periods, and the last class period was a co-taught class. So, this brought forth new disciplinary issues and learning disabilities. However, getting to know the students allowed me to understand different learning styles and techniques to help them perform their best, so I believe this aspect of my mentorship was especially beneficial. Also, it was personally beneficial because I have been in an "advanced class bubble" throughout my life, so seeing and understanding the learning patterns of the on-level students opened my eyes to a world in school where not everyone can so easily understand new material. Finally, my mentorship allowed me to form relationships with the students, that I personally believe have been beneficial both ways. Overall, I am so grateful for my mentorship experience. Without it, I wouldn't have been able to see firsthand the challenges and rewards of being a middle school teacher, and I couldn't have experienced so many memorable moments and relationships.